Volume 15, Number 50, December 19, 2001

The Honorable Art Eggleton, Minister of National Defense

On 2001 Auditor General's Report

The Honorable Art Eggleton, Minister of National Defense, responded to the findings concerning the Department of National Defense (DND) in the Auditor General's December 2001 Report to Parliament that was released today.

"I welcome today's report from the Auditor General of Canada," said the Minister. "Both the Government and DND are committed to continuing efforts to modernize the Canadian Forces.

"We recognize that the Forces are facing certain challenges - and we have been moving to address them in a responsible manner," the Minister said. "Furthermore, we have been open and transparent about these matters, and have acknowledged them in published reports such as the National Defense Performance Report, the Annual Report of the Chief of the Defense Staff and the National Defense 2001-2002 Estimates (Part III - Report on Plans and Priorities)."

The Department recognizes that there are challenges related to information management systems, shortages of qualified people to support equipment, and some Air Force equipment. However, DND is addressing these challenges with initiatives that include the Material Acquisition and Support Information System (MASIS), the Canadian Forces Supply System Upgrade (CFSSU) project, vigorous recruiting and retention efforts, and equipment upgrades such as the modernization of our CF-18 and Aurora aircraft fleets, and Hercules upgrades.

"The Canadian Forces have demonstrated their capabilities and their operational effectiveness time and again throughout the past decade," Mr. Eggleton said. "They have responded to a broad spectrum of domestic and international operations, and are currently making a significant contribution to the international campaign against terrorism. Our commitment to this campaign is a clear demonstration that our modernization strategy is sound."

The Canadian Forces' commitment to the campaign against terrorism includes some 2,000 CF members and five warships with Sea King helicopters, one CC-150 Polaris and three CC-130 Hercules aircraft. In addition, at the request of the United States, a component of Joint Task Force 2 is committed to the coalition effort. And approximately 1000 soldiers are on standby to deploy as part of the Immediate Reaction Force (Land). Here in Canada, additional CF-18 fighter aircraft have been placed at a high state of readiness in support of NORAD.

In Chapter 10 National Defense In-Service Equipment, the Auditor General acknowledges that, despite a high operational tempo, "the Department has been able to operate naval vessels at a more or less constant level of activity since 1995. The Army has been able to meet the increased demands of peacekeeping and peace support, almost doubling the use of its wheeled combat vehicles."

The Auditor General also acknowledges that DND is making progress in addressing previously reported audit recommendations pertaining to The Proper Conduct of Public Business, Alternative Service Delivery, Hazardous Materials: Managing Risks to Employees and the Environment, Sole-Source Contracting and Y2K Preparedness.

On Afghanistan

In mid-November, Canada and our coalition partners in the campaign against terrorism were asked by the United States to provide ground troops for a stabilization force in areas captured by the Northern Alliance in order to facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people. We agreed to do our part.

Based on this initial information, Canada placed 1,000 members of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry on 48 hours notice to deploy. Well suited for this type of operation, this is a modern, well-trained and combat-capable force designed to respond quickly to overseas missions. At the same time, details of the operation were to be worked out with our coalition partners prior to the actual deployment of the force to Afghanistan.

Canada and our coalition partners were asked to consider sending troops to Afghanistan to provide short-term stabilization in specific areas to allow for the entry of humanitarian assistance. We were not asked to send in ground forces to engage in offensive action against the Taliban or members of the Al Qa'ida organization.

When I was asked what our response would be if the Taliban returned to the areas they had vacated and engaged our troops (and other coalition troops) in all-out combat, I responded that the stabilization force could be removed.

Never did I say that our ground forces would not defend themselves or that they were not capable of engaging in combat. To imply or infer otherwise is wrong and grossly underestimates the professionalism, dedication and skill of the men and women of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, the Canadian Forces and our coalition partners.

Similarly, the comment that we would not send our forces to Afghanistan if they were not welcome has been misconstrued. It would be absurd to deploy a stabilization force to Afghanistan if the Northern Alliance - which is working closely with our coalition and controls the territory in question - has made it clear that they do not want or need foreign troops for that purpose. While this may change in the future, it certainly would not advance our overall aims and objectives to deploy a stabilization force in the current context.

The point is that we tailor our forces to the requirement of the mission, and work in close co-operation with our partners to ensure an effective coalition effort. If the type of mission and circumstances on the ground change significantly, then it is only reasonable and responsible that we would reassess our contribution to ensure that we were providing the right forces, with the right preparation and the right equipment.

Indeed, Canada has made available a contingent of our Joint Task Force 2 commando unit which is capable of conducting offensive operations against the Taliban and the Al Qa'ida organization. The Government's resolve to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our closest allies in this campaign against terrorism remains firm.

While every military mission entails risk, Canada is prepared to do its share. We were one of the first countries to join the international coalition. And, our contribution to Operation APOLLO represents the largest commitment of Canadian troops since the Korean War.

Publisher and Editor In Chief:
Micheal John O'Brien
The Wednesday Report is published and printed weekly in hard copy by MPRM Group Limited
Telephone: {905} xxx-xxxx use email contact